Tao Upnishad Part 02 - Book Summary

This is a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Tao Upnishad Part 02" by Osho Rajnish. It covers the essence of the chapters and key concepts discussed, drawing from the provided text.

Book Title: Tao Upnishad Part 02 Author: Osho Rajnish Publisher: Rebel Publishing House Puna Catalog link: https://jainqq.org/explore/002372/1

Overall Theme:

The "Tao Upnishad Part 02" by Osho Rajnish delves into the profound teachings of Lao Tzu's "Tao Te Ching," presented through Osho's characteristic insightful and illuminating discourses. The central theme revolves around understanding and living by the Tao, the fundamental principle of the universe, emphasizing naturalness, simplicity, spontaneity, and the inherent wisdom found in "emptiness" or "non-being." The text contrasts the complexity and artificiality of modern human life with the effortless flow of the Tao, suggesting that returning to our natural state is the key to overcoming problems and finding true joy.

Key Concepts and Chapters Summarized:

The book compiles 21 of Osho's discourses (from 23 to 43) on Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching. The provided text highlights several chapters and their core messages:

Chapter 9: Sutra 1 & 2 (The Danger of Overweening Success, the pain of ego, and the door of heaven):
- The Danger of Overweening Success: Lao Tzu advises against pushing anything to its extreme, whether it's filling a vessel or achieving success. Overfilling leads to emptiness, and oversharpening a sword dulls it. Similarly, excessive success or fame can lead to downfall. The key is moderation and knowing when to withdraw.
- The Circular Nature of Life: Unlike Western linear thinking, Eastern philosophies, including Taoism, perceive life as circular. What goes around comes around. Success, if carried too far, leads back to failure. This is the "way of Heaven." The text contrasts this with Western historical perspective, which emphasizes unique, unrepeatable events, whereas the East sees cyclical patterns and repetitions.
- The Danger of Obsessive Awareness: Constantly trying to grasp or feel something intensely, like the sharpness of a sword or the depth of an experience, will inevitably diminish its intensity. Similarly, constantly checking or seeking reassurance in love can kill it. The emphasis is on allowing things to be, rather than trying to possess or control them.
- The Peril of Accumulation: Filling a space or accumulating possessions (like gold and jade) makes them vulnerable and impossible to safeguard. Wealth and honor leading to arrogance invite misfortune. True security lies not in acquisition but in knowing when to withdraw and embrace simplicity.
- The Importance of "Not-Doing" (Wu Wei): Lao Tzu's philosophy subtly advocates for "wu wei," or effortless action. True mastery lies in acting in harmony with the natural flow, not against it. Pushing too hard, or trying to force things, leads to breakdown.
Chapter 10: Sutras 1 & 2 (Oneness of Body and Soul, Tao's Vital Breath Sadhana, and Unchanging State):
- Embracing the One (Body-Soul Unity): The core idea here is the essential unity of the physical and the spiritual. Division between the body and soul leads to division in the world and the divine. Lao Tzu emphasizes the need for an "embrace" or "union" between the intellectual (mind) and the sensory (body/instinctual) souls. This union, particularly through focusing on the "vital breath" (prana), allows one to become like a child – innocent, receptive, and pure.
- The Role of Breath (Prana Sadhana): The text highlights the significance of breath originating from the "Tanden" (Navel Center) as the source of vital energy. Modern lifestyles, characterized by stress and mental activity, cause breathing to become shallow and chest-oriented. Reconnecting with the breath from the navel center promotes relaxation, stillness, and inner balance. The text also touches upon the concept of controlling breath to achieve a state of "pliancy" and become "like a babe," symbolizing a return to naturalness and receptivity.
- Purpose-Free Life: Lao Tzu suggests that a life driven by purpose is ultimately futile. The constant striving for a future goal leads to missing the present moment. True living is found in embracing the present, in being fully engaged in whatever action arises, without attachment to outcomes. A purpose-free existence is not one of idleness but one of effortless flow, where actions arise naturally from the present moment.
- The Invitation of an Open Heart: Lao Tzu advocates for an open, inviting, and receptive state of being, symbolized by the "female bird" or a receptive attitude. This contrasts with the aggressive, assertive "male" approach. Openness allows for effortless reception and a natural flow of life.
- Appearing Without Knowledge: True wisdom is often recognized by its absence of pretense. Those who have attained deep understanding appear simple and unassuming, as if they have no knowledge. This is because their knowledge is not intellectual accumulation but an embodied, intuitive understanding that doesn't need to be asserted.
Chapter 10: Sutra 3 (The Absent Presence of Tao): This concept emphasizes that Tao is not something to be actively sought or grasped, but rather a presence that is always there, subtly guiding and sustaining everything, yet remaining invisible and intangible. The challenge is to become aware of this ever-present, yet subtle force.
Chapter 10: Sutra 4 (The Basis of All is Non-Being and Emptiness): This is a cornerstone of Taoist philosophy. True utility lies not in the substance or form of things, but in their emptiness or space. The spokes of a wheel are useless without the empty hub. The function of a pot is in its hollow interior. This principle extends to life itself, suggesting that our capacity to receive, to grow, and to contain is dependent on our inner emptiness.
Chapter 12: Sutra 1 (Sensory Hunger vs. Spiritual Hunger): Lao Tzu critiques the overemphasis on sensory desires and external pursuits, which ultimately lead to dissatisfaction and a dulling of the senses. He advocates for focusing on the "spiritual hunger" originating from the navel center, which leads to true fulfillment and inner peace. The text elaborates on how excessive engagement with sensory pleasures can lead to the "death" of our inner receptivity, while a more balanced and mindful approach can lead to a deeper experience of life.
Chapter 13: Part 1 & 2 (Praise and Blame; The Wise Ones of Old):
- Praise and Blame: These are ultimately seen as projections of our own ego. External praise or blame has no power over one who is free from ego. True inner peace comes from recognizing that our sense of self is not dependent on external validation. The text emphasizes the illusory nature of praise and blame, rooted in the constructed "self" (ego).
- The Wise Ones of Old: Lao Tzu describes ancient masters as subtle, profound, and beyond ordinary comprehension. They lived with extreme caution, like crossing a winter stream, always aware of potential dangers. They were hesitant in their actions, like guests in unfamiliar territory, and possessed a profound humility, appearing as unassuming as uncarved wood or empty valleys. They lived in a state of "wu wei" (non-action) and inner stillness, allowing the Tao to manifest through them.
Chapter 16: Sutras 1 & 2 (Knowing the Eternal Law):
- The Eternal Law: This refers to the unchanging, fundamental principles of the universe – the Tao. Understanding this law leads to:
  - Tolerance: Accepting things as they are, without judgment or resistance.
  - Impartiality: Seeing things without personal bias or preference.
  - Kingliness: Acting with natural authority and wisdom, not through force or control.
  - Accordance with Nature and Tao: Living in harmony with the universal flow.
  - Preservation from Harm: When one lives in alignment with the Tao, they become impervious to the ups and downs of life, living in a state of eternal peace and well-being.
Chapter 17: Part 1 & 2 (Rulers):
- The Best Ruler: The most effective ruler is one whose presence is barely felt. The people feel self-reliant and attribute their success to their own efforts, not the ruler's intervention. Those who are less effective are loved and praised, while those who are ineffective are feared or reviled. True leadership is about facilitating the natural order without imposing one's will.
- Ego and Leadership: The discussion touches upon the idea that only those who have transcended ego can truly govern. Selflessness is the prerequisite for effective and benevolent leadership.

Key Takeaways:

Simplicity and Naturalness: The Tao emphasizes living in accordance with our natural state, shedding artificiality, and embracing simplicity in thought, word, and deed.
Embracing "Emptiness" (Wu Wei): True effectiveness comes not from forceful action but from "wu wei" – acting effortlessly and spontaneously in harmony with the natural flow of life. This often involves allowing things to unfold without forceful intervention.
The Importance of Inner Stillness: Lao Tzu's teachings often point to inner stillness and emptiness as the source of true wisdom and power. By emptying ourselves of desires, judgments, and ego, we create space for the Tao to manifest.
The Illusion of Separation: Our sense of a separate "self" (ego) is the root of much suffering. Recognizing the interconnectedness of all things, and the ultimately empty nature of our individual forms, leads to freedom.
Living in the Present Moment: The Tao encourages a deep engagement with the present moment, free from the burdens of the past and anxieties about the future.
Paradoxical Wisdom: Taoist wisdom often appears paradoxical. For instance, to achieve something, one must let go; to be full, one must be empty; to be strong, one must be soft.

This summary aims to capture the essence of the provided text, highlighting the key philosophical insights Osho draws from Lao Tzu's teachings within the "Tao Upnishad Part 02."